The US Soccer Board of Directors approved Youth Development Initiatives developed and proposed by the national coaching staff at its meeting on July 5
These two initiatives mandate small-sided games and a move to calendar-year age groups.
Attached is a copy of the final version that was approved on July 5th.
Please note the implementation schedule:
Adopted as a Best Practice – August 2016 for 2016/2017 Soccer Year
This approach will provide sufficient time for implementation. The approved timetable allows the 2015/2016 soccer year for communication, explanation, and planning and then initial implementation on September 1, 2016 for the 2016/2017 soccer year.